Decorative materials encased in a polymer with fragrance releasing characteristics

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a fragrant article that delivers fragrance over a period of time by an article comprising a polymer matrix, a fragrance and a decorative object. The decorative object is contained within a polymer matrix and in a preferred embodiment is the similar to the fragrance that is being released. The article is particularly well suited to be used as a room freshener, which because of its attractive appearance does not need to be hidden.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to polymeric materials containing adecorative item, the polymeric material is also capable of releasing afragrance. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the decorativeitem and the fragrance which is emitted from the polymeric material arerelated.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The release of fragrance to mask malodor or to provide a pleasantsurrounding is desirable in various applications. Room deodorizers canbe applied by aerosol means, but suffer from the deficiency of needingrepeated applications. Consequently, solid room deodorizers have beendeveloped, but unfortunately the object have been relatively unsightly.Consequently, the room deodorizers have been relegated to areas such asunder sinks, behind doors or inside of closets. It would be highlydesirable to create attractive articles that would release fragrances tocreate pleasant environments.

The slow sustained release of a fragrant molecule is a desirable traitin various applications including personal care products, air freshenersand the like. Among the suitable techniques for providing long lastingscents are dissolving or suspending fragrance compounds in emulsions(see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,525,588; 5,525,555; 5,490,982 and 5,372,806);encapsulation of a fragrance (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,500,223; 5,324,444,5,185,155, 5,176,903 and 5,130,171); dissolving a fragrance into ahydrophilic phase such as silicone U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,689)incorporation of a fragrance into a cross-liked polymer (U.S. Pat. Nos.5,387,622 and 5,387,411) incorporation of a fragrance into permanentlaminates (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,071,704 and 5,008,115) incorporation of afragrance that softens at body temperature (U.S. Pat. No. 4,908,208)incorporation of a fragrance into silanes with fragrant alcohol to formalkoxysilanes (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,524,018 and 4,500,725 incorporation offragrant moieties via hydrosilation of an olefinic silane molecule (U.S.Pat. No. 6,054,547). The disclosure of the above U.S. patents are herebyincorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety.

While all of these approaches release fragrant molecules, there is acontinuing need to provide attractive dispensing means from which thefragrant molecules can be delivered.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an attractive item which can beprominently displayed and which also releases fragrance into thesurrounding environment. In a first embodiment of the present inventionprovides a decorative item, a polymer matrix and fragrance wherein thedecorative item is encased in the polymer matrix and a fragrance isemitted from the polymer.

In a second embodiment of the invention comprises a method for makingthe a decorative item encased in a polymer matrix comprising:

providing a monomer; a fragrance; and a catalyst suitable for themonomer;

admixing the monomer, fragrance and a catalyst;

providing a mold, said mold containing a decorative item;

providing the fragrance, monomer and catalyst mixture to the mold;

allowing the catalyst to polymerize the monomer mixture in the mold;

removing the decorative item encased in a fragrant polymer.

The present invention is suitable for use as an air freshener, anenvironmental fragrancing device and other applications. These and otherembodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon referringto the following figure and description of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a flower contained in a polymeric matrix inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the present invention and an accompanyingprotective case.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The polymer materials that are employed in the preset invention areselected from any material that will accept a fragrance material andwhich are transparent when used to encapsulate the decorative material.As used herein, essentially transparent is understood to mean theability to transmit light without appreciable scattering so that bodieslying beyond the polymer material are visible. More preferably, thepolymeric materials that are used are of sufficient clarity so that thedecorative item is visible when it is encased in the polymeric material.Suitable polymers include, but are not limited to siloxanes, silicones,acrylics, polycarbonates, polyesters such as polyester terephthalate,copolymers and mixtures of these polymers and the like. The mostpreferred materials are siloxanes such as polydimethylsiloxanes,especially when catalyzed with an organotin compound and zinc silicatein the presence of a base. This polymethylsiloxane material was found topossess excellent optical properties, good structural properties as wellas can be used to deliver fragrance over a period of time.

Structural properties are understood to mean the ability to remain rigidafter being cast into a shape. Rigid is understood to mean that thepolymer matrix will retain its shape after being removed from a mold andwill not run, or sag. Some polymers are not very suitable in that theyare too soft and will not retain the desired shape over time. Otherpolymers are undesirably soft in that the object feels mushy whenhandled. Other polymers are easily deformed when handled, actingsimilarly to putty materials. In a preferred embodiment, the polymershould appear like glass when initially viewed. In a highly preferredembodiment the polymer should also be capable of delivering a fragranceover an extended period of time.

The polymer is typically provided in an amount of greater than about 50weight percent of the item, preferably greater than 70 weight percentand in a preferred embodiment greater than about 80 weight percent ofthe item.

The fragrance employed in the invention is not critical, so long as itis compatible with the polymer that is employed. As is appreciated inthe art, some polymer and fragrances are not compatible with each other,that means that a particular fragrance can not be delivered with aspecific polymer. The fragrance of the present invention can preferablybe continually delivered over time such as more than a week, more thantwo weeks, preferably more than a month and most preferably over aperiod two or more months. Technologies for the control release offragrances are well known in the art and include encapsulation, use ofemulsions and surfactants and other techniques as set forth above.

Many types of fragrances can be employed in the present invention, theonly limitation being the compatibility with the polymer matrix beingemployed. Suitable fragrances include but are not limited to fruits suchas almond, apple, cherry, grape, pear, pineapple, orange, strawberry,raspberry; musk, flower scents such as lavender-like, rose-like,iris-like, carnation-like. Other pleasant scents include herbal scentssuch as and woodland scents derived from pine, spruce and other forestsmells. Fragrances may also be derived from various oils, such asessential oils, or from plant materials such as peppermint, spearmintand the like. Other familiar and popular smells can also be employedsuch as baby powder, popcorn, pizza, cotton candy and the like can alsobe employed in the present invention.

A list of suitable fragrances is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 4,534,891,the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Anothersource of suitable fragrances is found in Perfumes Cosmetics and Soaps,Second Edition, edited by W. A. Poucher, 1959. Among the fragrancesprovided in this treatise are acacia, cassie, chypre, cylamen, fern,gardenia, hawthorn, heliotrope, honeysuckle, hyacinth, jasmin, lilac,lily, magnolia, mimosa, narcissus, freshly-cut hay, orange blossum,orchids, reseda, sweet pea, trefle, tuberose, vanilla, violet,wallflower, and the like.

The level of fragrance varies from about 0.1 to about 10 weight percent,preferably from about 2 to about 8 and most preferably from about 3 toabout 7 weight percent. In addition to the fragrance other agents can beused in conjunction with the fragrance. Well known materials such assurfactants, emulsifiers, polymers to encapsulate the fragrance can alsobe employed without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Also included in the present invention is a decorative item that isencased into the polymer matrix. Any decorative item can be included inthe polymer, including but not limited to plant materials such asflowers, leaves, branches and twigs. Suitable materials include roses,lilac blooms, carnations and the like. Miniature items as models ofcars, planes, and trains; miniature replicas of animals, including astuffed animal such as a teddy bear, toys, cartoon figures, actionfigures, and the like can also be included in the polymeric matrix. Theuse of a child's favorite toy in the polymer matrix would be ideal foruse in a child's room. Encased in the polymer matrix is understood thatthe decorative article is surrounded in three dimensions by the polymer.The present invention is not contemplated as including the placing of adecorative item on top of a polymer matrix.

In a highly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the itemembedded in the polymer matrix and the fragrance incorporated into thepolymer is the same. This provides a visual clue as to the scent whenthe person who may enter an area views it. Once a person notes the item,the person will associate the fragrance in the area with the item insidethe polymer matrix.

The decorative items of the present invention are particularly wellsuited to be employed as room fresheners. Since the item has a pleasantappearance, it is not necessary to place the item out of sight. In fact,because the polymer matrix preserves the decorative item, the presentinvention makes it highly desirable to have the item in a visible place.

Now referring to the Figures, in FIG. 1 an embodiment of the inventionis presented. The polymer matrix 10 is visible as well as the decorativeitem. In FIG. 1, a flower 10, more specifically a daisy, is employed asthe decorative item in the polymer 20. A fragrance (not shown) isprovided in the polymer matrix.

In FIG. 2 an explode view of the polymer matrix, decorative item and acontainer is visible. The polymer matrix 120 containing the decorativeitem 110, the model car is visible, just above the container 100. Thecontainer in a preferred embodiment also has a lid 140 which can beemployed to retain the fragrance within the polymer matrix when it isnot desired.

The use of a container is not required in the present invention but hasseveral advantages. First the container provides protection to thepolymer and decorative item during shipping and display prior topurchase. In addition, the container also acts to prevent diminution ofthe fragrance prior to purchase and use. The container can be made ofvarious materials, including cardboard, papers and films and the like.It is preferred that the package retards the release of fragrance beforeuse. Films, including shrink-wrap films, used in food packaging would beuseful especially if the film limits or prevents air mobility across thefilm. Suitable films include polymers and copolymers containingpolyethylene, polypropylene and vinylidene chloride, which are known inthe art.

Preferably the container is also made of a transparent material such asglass, acrylics, polycarbonates and the like. If the container istransparent the article can remain in the container and the top removedonly when fragrance is desired.

As polymers are employed in the present invention, it is possible tomake many different shapes and sizes in which to encase the decorativeitem. Cubes are a preferred shape inasmuch as they are generallyconsidered to be appealing to the eye. Cubes are understood to includecube-like shapes that generally have sides that are similar indimension, however they are not all required to have the exact samedimension. However, one with skill in the art will be able to castpolymers in a wide number of three-dimensional shapes such as spheres,ellipses, pyramids, parrellelpipeds, and the like.

These and additional modifications and improvements of the presentinvention may also be apparent to those with ordinary skill in the art.The particular combinations of element described and illustrated hereinare intended only to represent only a certain embodiment of the presentinventions and is not intended to serve as limitations of alternativearticles with the spirit and scope of the invention.

EXAMPLE

A decorative rose encased in a polysiloxane matrix was prepared usingthe following method. One hundred (100) parts by weight of a siloxane(TBT-4750 available from Path Silicones, Elmwood Park, N.J.) and 5weight percent rose fragrance from International Flavor and FragranceInc. were mixed until a clear uniform solution is formed. To the clearmixture, 10 parts by weight of catalyst, an organotin compound and ethylsilicate (sold as Catalyst 25×, also from Path Silicones, Elmwood Park,N.J.) was added. The preferred ratio of siloxane to catalyst is 10 to 1.The mixture was poured into a mold containing a rose. The mixture wasallowed to set for twenty-fours hours before being removed. Thepolysiloxane matrix was removed from the mold. The resulting polymer hadexcellent clarity, the rose was clearly visible inside the polymer, andhad excellent structural stability. The polymer remained rigid and didnot slump or slide when placed upon a table.

What is claimed is:
 1. A combination comprising: a decorative item, anessentially transparent, rigid polymer matrix and fragrance wherein thedecorative item is encased in the polymer matrix and a fragrance isreleased from the polymer, wherein the essentially transparent rigidpolymer matrix is greater than 50 weight percent of the combination. 2.The combination of claim 1 wherein the decorative item is a flower. 3.The combination of claim 1 wherein the polymer is selected from thegroup of siloxanes, silicones, polyacrylates, polycarbonates andpolyesters.
 4. The combination of claim 1 wherein the polymer matrix isessentially transparent.
 5. The combination of claim 1 wherein theessentially transparent, rigid, polymer matrix is greater than 70 weightpercent of the combination.
 6. The combination of claim 1 wherein theessentially transparent, rigid polymer matrix is greater than 80 weightpercent of the combination.
 7. A combination consisting essentially of:a decorative item, an essential transparent, rigid polymer matrix andfragrance wherein the decorative item is encased in the polymer matrixand a fragrance is released from the polymer, wherein the essentiallytransparent rigid polymer matrix is greater than 50 weight percent ofthe combination.
 8. The combination of claim 7 wherein the decorativeitem is a flower.
 9. The combination of claim 7 wherein the polymer isselected from the group of polysiloxanes, silicones, and polyesters. 10.The combination of claim 9 wherein the siloxane is apolydimethylsiloxane.
 11. The combination of claim 7 wherein theessentially transparent, rigid, polymer matrix is greater than 70 weightpercent of the combination.
 12. The combination of claim 7 wherein theessentially transparent, rigid polymer matrix is greater than 80 weightpercent of the combination.
 13. A combination consisting of: adecorative item, an essential transparent, rigid polymer matrix andfragrance wherein the decorative item is encased in the polymer matrixand a fragrance is released from the polymer, wherein the essentiallytransparent rigid polymer matrix is greater than 50 weight percent ofthe combination.
 14. The combination of claim 13 wherein the decorativeitem is a flower.
 15. The combination of claim 13 wherein the polymer isselected from the group of siloxanes, silicones, and polyesters.
 16. Thecombination of claim 15 wherein the siloxane is a polydimethylsiloxane.17. The combination of claim 13 wherein the essentially transparent,rigid, polymer matrix is greater than 70 weight percent of thecombination.
 18. The combination of claim 13 wherein the essentiallytransparent, rigid polymer matrix is greater than 80 weight percent ofthe combination.
 19. The combination of claim 3 wherein the siloxane ispolydimethylsiloxane.